Sliding seal adapter for a feeding system

ABSTRACT

An adapter ( 10 ) utilized to interconnect a fluid container ( 88 ) and an administration feeding set ( 90 ) having a hollow retractable spike ( 52 ) and a sliding shaft seal ( 18 ) for maintaining a fluid-tight seal around spike ( 52 ). The sliding shaft seal ( 18 ) includes a conduit ( 77 ) which sealingly engages around the retractable spike ( 52 ) in fluid tight engagement when adapter ( 10 ) is biased by a spring ( 19 ) between an engaged position and a disengaged position.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a 371 National Phase Application for InternationalApplication PCT/US02/26666, filed Aug. 22, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to an adapter forinterconnecting a fluid container with an administration feeding set,and more particularly to an adapter having a retractable spike for usewith a feeding system.

2. Prior Art

Feeding systems are frequently used to provide nutrition through eitherenteral or parenteral access to a patient unable to take nutritionorally. As used herein, the term nutrition shall be interpreted toinclude nutrition, medication and hydration. These feeding systemstypically comprise an administration feeding set attached to a source ofnutrition at one end and some kind of tube arrangement at the other endfor providing nutrition immediately to a patient. In enteral feeding,the nutrition is typically administered to the patient by accessing adigestive organ through use of a nasogastric or gastrostomy tube whichterminates in the stomach, or a nasojejunal or jejunostomy tube whichterminates in the jejunum. In contrast, parenteral feeding typicallyincludes feeding nutrition by injection into a vein. Such feedingsystems also include fluid containers which hold nutritional fluid inliquid form and typically include an opening sealed with a flexiblemembrane to seal and isolate the contents from environmentalcontaminants.

Often fluid containers of the above-mentioned character are connected tothe administration feeding set by an adapter. One such adapter typicalof the prior art is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,567,999 to Hjertman etal. entitled “Self-adhesive Connecting Device.” Hjertman discloses anadapter for providing a sealed liquid connection with the orifice of afluid container formed from a flexible sheet material. The adapterincludes a hollow chamber with an outside surface adapted to be adheredto the container wall and a sharp point that is encased therein which isoperative to penetrate the wall of the container. A pressure sensitiveadhesive is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the Hjertmanadapter that is intended to attach the adapter to the container wallsuch that the hollow chamber is sealed from outside contaminates.

Although the device of Hjertman et al. effectively provides a sealedliquid connection with a container, such devices also have severalinherent drawbacks. Because the device to Hjertman entirely encloses thesharp point within the chamber, the user of these devices would need toapply a sufficiently strong exterior force to the chamber in order toactuate the device. However, directly exerting an exterior force uponthe chamber to actuate the device increases the possibility of rupturingthe chamber and resulting in mechanical failure of the device. Moreover,inadvertent impacts upon the chamber during transportation and storageare also likely to result in premature rupturing of the chamber.Finally, properly adhered to the container, such devices cannot beeasily reused with other fluid containers.

Other connection devices have been suggested to further advance the art.For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,041,105 to D'Alo et al. entitled “VentedSpike Connection Component,” which is assigned to the assignee of thepresent invention, discloses a connection component suitable for usewith a feeding system which includes a fluid container having a cap withan orifice and external threading disposed about the cap. A foil, orother similar frangible material, seals off the orifice of the containerfrom fluid flow and outside contaminants. The connection componentincludes internal threading that mates with the external threading ofthe cap and a projecting spike which is adapted to penetrate the foilseal and establish fluid flow as the connection component is attached tothe fluid container and actuated.

Although the D'Alo et al. device substantially advances the art, suchconnection components could still be further improved upon. The deviceto D'Alo et al. relies solely on frictional engagement between thethreaded portion of the housing body and the threaded portion of the capto create and maintain a fluid-tight seal. The device to D'Alo et al.also operates to simultaneously pierce the container when the userconnects the connection component, and thus the operator mustinterconnect the device at the precise moment when it is desired toestablish fluid flow. In other words, the operator cannot attach theD'Alo et al. device to the pre-filled container without instantaneouslypiercing the foil seal and establishing fluid flow which may beundesirable. Accordingly, the operator must delay attaching the deviceto the container until needed, or the operator must attach the device tothe fluid container and immediately establish fluid flow when the foilseal is pierced by the device connection.

Therefore, one skilled in the art can best appreciate that severaladvances would still be desirable. It would be desirable to have aconnection device that may be properly secured to the container, whileallowing the operator to delay piercing the fluid container andestablish fluid flow when needed. It would also be desirable to have aconnection device which provides a leak-free seal at all times betweenthe fluid container, the connection device, and the administrationfeeding set. It would be further desirable to have a spike of theconnection device which is shielded from touch contamination by theuser.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an adapter whichis capable of establishing fluid flow communication between a fluidcontainer and an administration feeding set while maintaining afluid-tight seal therebetween at all times.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an adapterhaving a sliding shaft seal that maintains a fluid-tight seal around theaxial spike during operation of the adapter.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a connectiondevice that allows the container to be sealingly connected to theadministration feeding set without simultaneously piercing the flexiblemembrane of the fluid container.

Another further object of the present invention is to provide an adapterhaving a retractable touch free spike that is shielded from touchcontamination by the user.

In brief summary, the present invention overcomes and substantiallyalleviates the deficiencies in the prior art by providing an adapterthat includes a sliding shaft seal which provides a leak-free connectionsite and shields the shaft from contamination. The adapter operates as aconnector between a fluid container and an administration feeding setwith the fluid container having a cap that has an orifice and anexternal threading disposed about the cap. A foil, or other frangiblemembrane, seals off the orifice of the container from fluid flow priorto use. The administration feeding set includes hollow flexible tubingwhich interconnects a tube arrangement attached to a patient to thefluid container via the adapter of the present invention.

The adapter comprises a body member connected between a spike member anda locking collar. The body member includes a body portion having agenerally cylindrical shape and an annular ring formed thereon with aplurality of protrusions which are longitudinally formed along the bodymember. A pair of leg portions axially extends from the body portionwith retention tabs formed at the free end thereof for engaging the bodymember to the spike member. The adapter further comprises a slidingshaft seal positioned within the body member for providing a leak-freeseal within the adapter during operation.

The spike member is coupled to the body member and includes a spike bodywhich is generally frusto-conical in shape with an opposed pair of slotsformed longitudinally along the spike body which are sized and shaped toslidably receive corresponding protrusions formed along the bodyportion. An axial spike to penetrate the seal of the fluid containeroutwardly extends from the spike body and includes a longitudinal slotformed therealong which terminates at an angularly skewed pointed end.Two generally opposed openings are formed through the spike body and aresized and shaped to receive and securely retain a respective leg portionof the body member thereto. As a result, the spike member is slidablycoupled with the body member. The spike member also includes a tubeadapter at its proximal end which axially extends therefrom and isadapted to attach the adapter of the present invention to theadministration feeding set. A coiled spring is provided to apply aspring force against the spike member for actuating and biasing theadapter during operation thereof.

The locking collar is coupled to the body member and has a hollowcylindrical shape forming a channel with opposed openings. An annulargroove is formed adjacent one of the openings and is sized and shaped tobe engaged by the annular ring formed around the body member such thatthe locking collar is engaged to the body member, but rotates freelythereabout. The locking collar also includes an internal threadedportion defined about the channel proximate the other opposed openingfor mating engagement with the external threaded portion of the fluidcontainer when the adapter is attached thereto.

One unique aspect of the present invention is that it includes a slidingshaft seal disposed at least partially within the body member and aroundthe axial spike. The sliding shaft seal includes a hollow, flexible bodydefining a conduit formed between opposed proximal and distal ends whichdefine respective openings. The sliding shaft seal further includes asealing flange formed proximate the proximal opening, while a lockingflange is formed proximate the distal opening. In assembly, the slidingshaft seal is disposed within the body member such that the shaft of thespike is sealingly surrounded by the conduit of the sliding shaft seal.The spring is co-axially aligned with and engaged to the sliding shaftseal for applying a spring force against the spike body duringoperation.

In operation, the operator of the present invention may easily andsecurely connect the adapter between the fluid container and theadministration feeding set by first threading the threaded portion ofthe locking collar onto the threaded portion of the cap while the spikeis isolated within the locking collar from inadvertent contact withoutside contaminants which may result in contamination of the spike. Itwill be appreciated that, although the adapter is secured to thecontainer, the spike does not simultaneously pierce and breach the foilthat seals off the orifice of the fluid container until actuated by theuser. Once the locking collar is properly secured, the administrationfeeding set is connected between the patient's tube arrangement and theadapter, while the spike member is maintained in the disengagedposition. The operator will then grasp the spike body between the thumband forefinger and move the spike member axially forward relative to thebody member and against the spring force applied by the spring so thatthe spike extends forward through the locking collar and is driventhrough the foil of the fluid container, thereby establishing fluid flowthrough the spike. After the foil has been breached and fluid flowestablished, the operator will then release the spike member which willthen be biased back within the locking collar by the spring forceapplied by the spring. During operation of the adapter, the slidingshaft seal maintains a fluid tight seal about the axial spike as thespike is moved longitudinally during actuation. When fluid flowcommunication is established with the fluid container the sliding shaftseal continues to maintain a fluid tight seal around the spike, whilepreventing the user to touch and contaminate the spike during operation.

These and other objects of the present invention are realized in thepreferred embodiment of the present invention, described by way ofexample and not by way of limitation, which provides for an adapterhaving a retractable spike including a sliding shaft seal forestablishing leak-free fluid flow communication along the spike.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention willbe set forth in the description which follows, and will become apparentto those skilled in the art upon examination of the following moredetailed description and drawings in which like elements of theinvention are similarly numbered throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of theadapter connected between a fluid container and an administrationfeeding set according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the adapteraccording to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment ofthe adapter according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 a is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of theadapter in an unactuated position according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 b is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of theadapter in an unactuated position according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of the adapter inan unactuated position according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of theadapter shown along line 6—6 of FIG. 4 a according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional of the preferred embodiment of the adaptershown along line 7—7 of FIG. 5 according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of the adapter inan actuated position according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of theadapter in an actuated position according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of theadapter shown along line 10—10 of FIG. 8 according to the presentinvention; and

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of theadapter shown along line 11—11 of FIG. 9 according to the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the adapter for afeeding system 9 of the present invention is illustrated and generallyindicated as 10 in FIG. 1. As shown, adapter 10 operates as a connectorbetween a fluid container 88 and an administration feeding set 90 withthe fluid container 88 including a cap 92 that has an orifice 96 andthreading 98 formed about the cap 92. A foil 100, or other frangiblemembrane, seals off the orifice 96 of container 88 from fluid flow. Theadministration feeding set 90 includes tubing 94 which interconnects atube arrangement (not shown) which is connected to the fluid container88 via the adapter 10 of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, theadapter 10 comprises a body member 12 slidably connected to a biasedspike member 14 and rotatably connected to a locking collar 16. Inaddition, as shown in FIG. 3, adapter 10 further includes a slidingshaft seal 18 disposed within the body member 12 for providing a fluidtight seal between the adapter 10 and fluid container 88.

As further shown, body member 12 comprises a hollow body portion 20having opposed openings 25, 27 which form a channel 31 therebetween witha pair of laterally opposed leg portions 26 which extend axiallyproximate the opening 27. Preferably, body member 12 has a pair of legportions 26, although in the alternative, one skilled in the art canbest appreciate that any suitable number of leg portions 26 may beutilized without departing from the teachings of the present invention.Each leg portion 26 includes a tab 22 formed at the free end thereof.Preferably, tabs 22 are bifurcated along the free end thereof.

The body member 12 further includes an interior annular ridge 23 formedadjacent opening 27 and two pairs of opposed protrusions 28longitudinally aligned and extending along the body portion 20. Formedbetween each pair of protrusions 28 is a beveled portion 30 defining aledge 32. Further, body member 12 includes an exterior annular flange 34formed proximate opening 25. Alternatively, it should be appreciatedthat any suitable number of protrusions 28 may be utilized.

As seen in FIGS. 3, 4 a, and 4 b, spike member 14 of adapter 10comprises a spike body 42 defining two opposed pairs of longitudinalslots 44 which are adapted to correspond to the two opposed pairs ofprotrusions 28 formed on body member 12. Each slot 44 is sized andshaped to slidably receive a corresponding protrusion 28 when the spikemember 14 is in the actuated position, as shall be discussed in greaterdetail below. In addition, spike member 14 further includes two axialopenings 43, as particularly shown in FIG. 3, which are sized and shapedto receive and retain a corresponding tab 22 of each leg portion 26 wheninserted therethrough. Alternatively, one skilled in the art canappreciate that any number of slots 44 and openings 43 may be utilizedto interconnect the body member 12 to spike member 14 without departingfrom the teachings of the present invention.

With reference to FIGS. 4 a, 4 b, and 6, each pair of slots 44 defines aretention section 46 which includes a retention edge 48 formed at adistal or free end of each section 46. Each retention section 46 ispositioned between a respective corresponding pair of protrusions 28 andis adapted to slide between each pair of protrusions 28 while travelingalong the corresponding beveled portion 30 formed along the body member12. During the aforementioned sliding action, the retention section 46is prevented from separating from body member 12 due to the engagementbetween retention edge 48 of spike member 14 and the ledge 32 formedalong body member 12 as well as the relative action of tab 22 with spikebody 42, as shall be described in greater detail later.

As best appreciated in FIG. 7, spike member 14 further includes a hollowaxial spike 52 outwardly extending from the spike body 42 definingopposed ends 36, 38 which form a channel 40 therebetween. Withparticular reference to FIG. 3, spike 52 includes a distal longitudinalslot 56 formed along a portion of spike 52 and that terminates at anangularly skewed end 54 for receiving fluid flow therethrough. Referringback to FIG. 7, circumferentially disposed about the spike 52 is ashoulder portion 58 which assists in forming a seal between the spikemember 14 and sliding shaft seal 18. Spike body 42 further includes aproximal tube adapter 60 formed opposite spike 52 which is bonded toadministration feeding set 90. Spike 52 has an opening 61 incommunication with slot 52 and co-axially aligned with spike 52proximate end 36 which is sized and shaped to be bonded toadministration feeding set 90, as illustrated in FIG. 1. As furthershown, a spring 19 having an opening 120 is provided for applying aspring force against spike member 14 during operation of adapter 10.Preferably, spike 52 is disposed entirely within the adapter 10 asillustrated in FIG. 4 a. In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 4 b,spike 52 extends beyond the collar 16 when adapter 10 is fullyassembled.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, adapter 10 of the present invention alsoincludes locking collar 16 comprising a body portion 62 with opposedopenings 65, 66 forming a channel 64 therebetween. Channel 64 includesan annular groove 67 formed proximate opening 65 and a threaded portion68 formed proximate opening 66. As seen in the preferred embodimentshown in FIG. 4 a, longitudinal grooves 70 are formed along the bodyportion 62 of the locking collar 16 to enhance the ability of the userto grasp the locking collar 16. However, one skilled in the art can bestappreciate that a variety of other connective arrangements may beutilized without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, one unique aspect of adapter 10 is that itincludes sliding shaft seal 18 which forms and maintains a fluid-tightseal around axial spike 52 during operation of adapter 10. Withreference to FIGS. 3 and 10, sliding shaft seal 18 comprises a bodyportion 72 which includes a pair of opposed proximal and distal openings73, 75 with a conduit 77 formed therebetween. Conduit 77 is sized andshaped to provide a sealing engagement with spike 52 along a smallpercentage of the length of conduit 77 at any one time. As illustratedin FIG. 6, an O-ring portion 125 is preferably molded to conduit 77 at astrategic location therealong for providing the sliding seal engagementwith spike 52. This sealing engagement by the sliding shaft seal 18 isprovided about spike 52 whether adapter (10) is actuated, i.e. duringoperation, or unactuated, i.e. when the spike 52 is in a free state withthe spike 52 retracted. A lubricant can be applied along the spike 52and/or conduit 77 for lowering the coefficient of friction betweensliding shaft seal 18 and spike 52. Sliding shaft seal 18 furthercomprises a sealing flange 74 disposed proximate proximal opening 73 andcircumferentially disposed about the body portion 72, while a lockingflange 16 is formed proximate distal opening 75.

With particular reference to FIG. 3, adapter 10 is assembled duringmanufacturing by first inserting the sliding shaft seal 18 within bodymember 12 by placing distal end 75 of shaft seal 18 through opening 25.Sliding shaft seal 18 is then aligned within channel 31 such that thelocking flange 76 crowns the ridge 23, while the sealing flange 74 abutsthe opening 25 of body member 12 so that sliding shaft seal 18 isproperly secured within body portion 20 of body member 12. Next, thelocking collar 16 is then engaged about the body member 12 so thatannular flange 34 of body member 12 is engagingly received within theannular groove 66 of locking collar 16. Spring 19 is placed between legportions 26 of body member 12 such that distal opening 75 of slidingshaft seal 18 is properly aligned with opening 120 of Spring 19. Thespike 52 of spike body 42 is then inserted through the respectiveopenings 120, 75 of spring 19 and sliding shaft seal 18 respectivelysuch that tabs 22 on each leg portion 26 are inserted through thelongitudinal slots 44 of spike body 42. Spike member 14 is thenconnected to body member 12 and aligned so that each protrusion 28 isslidably received within each corresponding slot 44 of spike body 42.Spike member 14 is then axially depressed onto body member 12 until tabs22 are passed through the corresponding openings 43 and retention edge48 is disposed adjacent the beveled portion 30. Once so assembled, spikemember 14 may be biased between two positions by the user: an actuatedposition, wherein spike member 14 abuts locking collar 16, asillustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, and an unactuated position, whereinspike member 14 abuts tabs 22 of the body member 12, as seen in FIGS. 4a and 5.

In operation, the adapter 10 of the present invention is uniquelyconfigured to interconnect the fluid container 88 to the administrationfeeding set 90. As seen in FIG. 1, the adapter 10 is connected to thefluid container 88 by screwing the threaded portion 68 of the lockingcollar 16 onto the threaded portion 98 of the cap 92 while the spike 52is isolated within the collar 16 by sliding shaft seal 18 to preventundesirable contact and contamination of the axial spike 52. When it isdesirable to actuate adapter 10 and establish fluid flow, the user willgrasp spike member 14, preferably between the operator's thumb andforefinger (not shown), and urge the spike member 14 forwardly to theactuated position illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, through collar 16. Withparticular reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the forward axial motion ofspike 52 is restrained at one point by the abutment of retention edge 48of spike member 14 with collar 16 and the spring force applied by spring19 against spike member 14. As the spike member 14 is actuated by theuser, the sliding shaft seal 18 slides along the spike 52 which iscontinuously and sealingly engaged therealong due to the continuousengagement between O-ring portion 125 of sliding shaft seal 18 along aportion of spike 52. Once adapter 10 has been properly actuated, theoperator will simply release spike member 14 to return adapter 10 to theunactuated position, as seen in FIGS. 4 a and 5. Referring back to FIGS.10 and 11, due to the spring force applied by spring 19, the spikemember 14 will be automatically biased back towards the unactuatedposition with spike 52 isolated within collar 16 as the sliding shaftseal 18 returns back to its original position. During this operation,sliding shaft seal 18 maintains a leak free engagement about the base130 of spike 52.

In the preferred embodiment, body member 12, spike member 14, andlocking collar 16 are constructed from a substantially rigidmedical-grade material, while sliding shaft seal 18 is constructed froma substantially flexible elastic material. Most preferably, the bodymember 12, the spike member 14, and the locking collar 16 areconstructed from a thermoplastic which is a substantially liquidimpermeable material, such as ABS and the like, while sliding shaft seal18 is constructed from a thermoplastic elastomer, thermosetting rubberor other similar elastomeric material.

It should be understood from the foregoing that, while particularembodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described,various modifications can be made thereto without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is not intendedthat the invention is limited by the specification; instead, the scopeof the present invention is intended to be limited only by the appendedclaims.

1. An adapter comprising: a body member having a body portion definingan annular flange and at least one leg portion extending therefrom; saidbody portion further including at least one protrusion formedtherealong; a spike member coupled with said body member including aspike body defining at least one opening adapted to securely engage saidat least one leg portion, said spike body further including at least oneslot corresponding to said at least one protrusion, said spike memberfurther defines a spike connected to said spike body; a spring, saidspring disposed within said body member for applying a spring forceagainst said spike member; a collar member forming a channel withopposed openings, said collar member including an annular grooveadjacent one of said openings, said groove being adapted to securelyengage said annular flange; and a hollow sliding shaft seal disposed atleast partially within said body member, said sliding shaft sealincluding a body having opposed openings with a conduit formedtherebetween, said conduit being adapted to sealingly and slidinglyengage around said spike.
 2. The adapter according to claim 1, whereinsaid sliding shaft seal further includes a sealing flange formedproximate said proximal opening and circumferentially disposed aboutsaid body portion.
 3. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein saidsliding shaft seal further includes a locking flange formed proximatesaid distal opening.
 4. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein saidspike is sealingly and slidingly engaged along a portion of saidconduit.
 5. The adapter according to claim 4, wherein said conduitsealingly and slidingly engages a base of said spike.
 6. The adapteraccording to claim 4, wherein said conduit defines an O-ring portionthat sealingly and slidingly engaged to said spike.
 7. The adapteraccording to claim 1, wherein said conduit engages said spike duringoperation of the adapter and when adapter is in a free state.
 8. Anadapter comprising: a body member including a body portion having agenerally cylindrical shape with an annular flange disposed on said bodyportion, said body member further including at least one leg portionextending from said body portion and at least one protrusion formedalong said body portion; a spike member coupled with said body member,said spike member including a spike body having at least one axialopening adapted to securely engage said at least one leg portion, saidspike being reciprocable between an engaged position and a disengagedposition; a spring, said spring disposed within said body member forapplying a spring force against said spike. a collar member having agenerally cylindrical shape forming a channel with opposed openings andan annular groove adjacent one of said opposed openings, said annulargroove being adapted to securely engage said annular flange; and asliding shaft seal disposed at least partially within said body memberand contacting said spike such that said sliding shaft seal slidinglyengages in fluid tight engagement said spike.
 9. The adapter accordingto claim 8, wherein said sliding shaft seal is fabricated from anelastic material.
 10. An adapter comprising: a body member including abody portion and an annular flange formed around said body portion, saidbody member further including at least one leg portion extending fromsaid body portion; a spike member coupled with said body member, saidspike member including a spike body having at least one axial openingadapted to securely engage said at least one leg portion, said spikemember further defines a hollow spike connected to said spike body; aspring disposed within said body member for applying a spring forceagainst said spike; a collar member having a generally cylindrical shapeforming a channel with opposed openings, said collar member including anannular groove adjacent one of said openings to securely engage saidannular flange; and a sliding shaft seal disposed at least partiallywithin said body member, said sliding shaft seal including a body havingopposed openings with a conduit defined therebetween, wherein saidconduit is adapted to slidingly engage in fluid tight engagement aroundsaid spike during operation of the adapter.
 11. A method forestablishing a fluid conduit between a fluid container and anadministration feeding set, said fluid container having a cap with anorifice, said cap including a threaded portion thereabout and afrangible membrane sealingly engaged over said orifice, saidadministration feeding set including tubing, the method comprising thesteps of: a) providing an adapter, said adapter including a body memberslidably engageable with a spike member having a hollow spike, saidspike member being slidably coupled to said body member such that saidspike member is biased between an engaged position and a disengagedposition by a spring, said adapter further including a sliding shaftseal defining a conduit adapted to slidingly engage in fluid tightengegement around said spike, a collar member rotatably connected to thebody member, said adapter being attached to the administration feedingset; b) engaging said threaded portion of said fluid container with saidadapter; c) driving said spike member towards the engaged position suchthat said foil is pierced and fluid flow communication is establishedbetween the fluid container and the administration feeding set; d)releasing said spike member; and e) urging said spike member towards thedisengaged position.
 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein saidstep of driving further comprises: said sliding shaft seal slidinglyengaging around said spike.
 13. The method according to claim 11,wherein said sliding shaft seal slidingly engages around a base of saidspike.
 14. The method according to claim 11, wherein said step ofengaging said threaded portion to the fluid container further comprisesrotating the threaded portion of locking collar onto the threadedportion of the cap.
 15. The method according to claim 11, wherein saidstep of driving said spike member is counter biased by said spring. 16.The method according to claim 11, wherein said step of urging said spikemember towards the disengaged position, further includes said springapplying a bias to said spike member.